Sustainable Corporate Success – Strategies Business Growth:This session will discuss how Executives can apply industry best practice to strategically grow your business. This discussion will touch on the channel marketing, value of supplier diversity, creating new markets and how to position your business as a market leader.

Sandy Cajas

Bienvenidos! On behalf of the Regional Hispanic Chamber of Commerce we welcome you to the 2014 Southern California Business Development Conference.

We are committed to developing Businesses in Southern California by showcasing the Strength and Vitality of our Business Community.

The purpose of the RHCC’s Annual Conference is to elevate discussion and participation among business owners, corporate business leaders, community leaders, and government officials to address issues of relevance to the business community.

We hope you enjoy today’s event and that you take advantage of the lineup of dynamic speakers.

The RHCC’s final goal is “The Education and Advancement of The Southern California Business Community”

To Your Success,

President & CEO Regional Hispanic Chamber of Commerce

OPENING REMARKS

Sunny ZiaLong Beach City College

Sunny Zia is serving her first term on the Long Beach City College board, having been elected Trustee for Area 3 in April of 2014. She is a first-generation immigrant who grew up in a hardworking family that raised her with the guiding principles of the American dream. From a young age they instilled in her the importance of education as the pathway to success. She moved to the U.S. during the Iran-Iraq war with her family in pursuit of a better life. She was the only female and the first to graduate from her class of Civil Engineering with a Bachelor of Science degree in Civil Engineering from the University of Tehran. She later graduated with honors and received a Master of Science from University of California, Irvine in Civil Engineering. She has nearly two decades of experience in Construction, Environmental, Water and Infrastructure projects. Sunny is a former small business owner and consultant to the private and public sectors. She has managed a wide range of programs, balanced budgets, and recovered funding for many agencies she has represented. Currently, Sunny is the Contract Compliance Manager at the Port of Long Beach and responsible for oversight of all contracting practices estimated to be at $4 Billion over the next decade including infrastructure and facility modernization programs. She is responsible for ensuring that all contracting at the Port is fair, equitable and transparent and businesses have a competitive and fair opportunity to compete for contracts. She has been a leader in the non-profit and philanthropic communities and has led numerous humanitarian projects locally and globally. Her community work spans from working with at-risk youth, addressing hate crimes and bullying, overcoming poverty through micro-lending, refugee/immigrant resettlement, support for job placement of veterans and other displaced Americans, conflict resolution and interfaith work. As someone who has received scholarships and financial aid, she is living proof of the success of having access to affordable education. Her commitment is to invest in the City's future by ensuring students' success and focusing on making our students career and college ready. Feel free to contact Sunny directly at (562) 270-5017, or at info@sunnyzia.com with any questions or input.

Certifications & Procurement Panel

MODERATOR

Sashi MuralidharanPort of Long Beach

Sashi Muralidharan has been the Small Business Enterprises (SBE) Administrator for the Port of Long Beach’s Small Business Enterprises/Very Small Business Enterprises (VSBE) Program since November 2005, the beginning of the program’s second year. The Port is the Harbor Department of the City of Long Beach. The SBE/VSBE Program’s mission is to promote the participation of SBEs and VSBEs on Port construction contracts, professional services contracts, and materials/ supplies/ equipment purchases managed by the Port. Under his administration, SBEs/VSBEs have received nearly $300 million (30%) in payments from the approximately $1 billion the Port has spent on purchases eligible for SBE participation. Prior to his tenure at the Port, Sashi had accumulated 15 years of service in various municipal Administrative (Risk Management, Personnel) and Community Development programs (Redevelopment, Housing Rehabilitation, Section 8 Rental Assistance and Code Enforcement) for several municipalities including seven years for the City of Long Beach’s Community Development Department. Currently, Sashi is an executive board member of the California Construction Expo, the pre-eminent Construction Exposition in Southern California. In addition to being a member of the Committee that plans, organizes and conducts the event, he also serves as its Treasurer. Sashi is a graduate of the University of California at Irvine (UCI) with a bachelor’s degree in Social Ecology.

PANELISTS

Alma McMasterSouthern California Edison

Alma McMaster is a Supplier Diversity & Development Program Manager for Southern California Edison and is responsible for Latino Business outreach programs. Before coming to Edison in 2009, Alma spent 18 years in the automotive industry, serving 15 of those years as a Purchasing Manager for two of the largest Asian-owned automotive companies in the U.S. Throughout her tenure as a Purchasing Manager, a portion of Alma’s responsibility was developing and sustaining Supplier Diversity Programs. It was through this experience Alma realized that supplier diversity was her calling as it was a way to utilize her business background while fulfilling her desire to help the diverse business community succeed. Alma has been able to leverage her extensive knowledge of corporate procurement to develop, advocate and promote the advancement of diverse business enterprises throughout SCE and beyond. Alma, a true advocate for Latino Businesses, works with and serves as a corporate advisor to many Latino Business organizations including the U.S. and California Hispanic Chambers of Commerce, many of their local chambers, as well as the National Latina Business Women Association-LA and has been recognized by many of these organizations for her efforts. Alma is especially proud that in the last 3 years SCE achieved spend of over $1.1 Billion dollars with Latino businesses. In 2013 alone, SCE reported spend with Latino Businesses of over $511 Million dollars, which represented 14.6% of SCE’s spend, the largest percentage of spend with any ethnic business group.

Drisha MeltonCPUC

Drisha Melton is the Southern California Supplier Diversity Liaison for the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC). Her responsibilities include promoting the CPUC’s programs and providing education and outreach necessary to raise awareness of various regulatory and legislative policies. She is committed to promoting consumer needs and protecting the public interest. She is utilized as a resource to build relationships with local government groups and to promote GO156, which encourages greater economic opportunities for women, minority, and disable veteran business enterprises. Ms. Melton represents the CPUC as a member of the California Utilities Diversity Council, the Workforce, Education, and Training Task Force, and the Utilities Supplier Diversity Roundtable; which facilitate the development of DBE’s in the wholesale power market. She attended Grambling State University and completed her studies at California State University earning a bachelor’s degree in Public Administration.

Michelle BoehmCalifornia High-Speed Rail Authority

As Southern California Regional Director for the California High-Speed Rail Authority, Michelle Boehm oversees all aspects of project development in the region. In her role with the Authority, she chairs a regional transportation CEO group focused on high-speed rail issues and participates in the Regional Rail Partner’s Working Group which focuses on passenger rail planning in California. Boehm brings nearly 20 years of experience in transportation planning and policy analysis. Before joining the Authority, she was a Vice President with one of the largest Architectural and Engineering firms in the Country. In that role, Boehm was the regional manager responsible for overseeing business development, strategic planning, and public agency and community outreach for projects throughout Southern California. Recent planning documents of note Boehm collaborated on are the I-15 Corridor System Master Plan and several Conceptual Study Reports for the San Pedro Waterfront, the I-710 Corridor, and Alameda Corridor East. She worked directly with agencies including the Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority, Port of Los Angeles, California Department of Transportation, Nevada Department of Transportation, San Diego Association of Governments, Alameda Corridor-East Construction Authority, and several local Cities to deliver these, and other notable regional projects. Over the course of her career Boehm has proven her ability as a business manager and strategic planner, having developed strategy for transportation, water, geotechnical, structural, and environmental engineering and planning practice development and projects. She established a small business outreach program for a former employer in close coordination with the Los Angeles Minority Business Opportunity Council to support the contracting goals of clients including City of Los Angeles, Los Angeles Department of Water and Power, and Metropolitan Water District of Southern California. She also collaborated on several large, successful architectural projects including the Oregon State University Football Stadium Renovation, and the San Francisco 49ers Stadium Replacement, to name a few. Always demonstrating her passion for transportation, Boehm also held leadership positions in several local industry organizations. As a founding member and former advisory board member for Mobility 21, a coalition of elected officials and transportation providers, she pursued solutions to transportation issues in Southern California. She also serves as a Director-at-Large on the Board of the Women’s Transportation Seminar.

Danetta JacksonDepartment of General Services

Danetta Jackson is the Program Manager and Acting Branch Chief of the State of California Department of General Services Small Business and Disabled Veteran Business Enterprise (DVBE) Certification and Outreach Branch. She also serves as the Department’s Small Business and DVBE Advocate. In these capacities, Danetta and her staff work to make certain that Small and DVBE businesses understand the state contracting process and get access to their share of state awarded contracts. In addition, Danetta is in charge of forging strategic collaborations with government agencies at the local, statewide and federal levels. Danetta has 25 years of experience working in State Government. She received her BA degree and Leadership for the Government Manager Certification from California State University, Sacramento (CSUS).

Olga Mireya LopezLACMTA-METRO

Ms. López was born in Tijuana, Mexico and at the age of 9 years old her parents relocated to the diverse metropolis that is Los Angeles. She is the oldest of four children. Ms. López has dedicated her professional career to public service. Over the last 22 years, she has worked in local government and the nation’s leading nonprofit organization that facilitates the full participation of Latinos in the American political process, from citizenship to public service. Most recently, Ms. López has served the Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority for over 11 years. Today, she serves as Senior Representative in the Strategic Business and Construction Career Services unit within the Diversity & Economic Opportunity Department (DEOD). As a spokesperson for DEOD, she is responsible for hosting and participating in numerous outreach events where she aims to increase awareness of contract opportunities available through Metro. At these events, small business owners learn about vendor requirements, the certification process, contract opportunities, engage in networking with other small business owners and large contractors, and develop relationships with Metro. The Small Business Workshop Series, How to do Business with Metro workshops, Meet the Buyers Program, and the Meet the Primes events are just a few of the programs that Ms. López is responsible for. Ms. Lopez, however, began her career at Metro in Construction Relations. As the Construction Relations Manager leading the public outreach, stakeholder communication and construction impact mitigation programs on three major capital projects, she was the face of the project and maintained the quality control of public information related to construction activities. Ms. López recently celebrated her 25th wedding anniversary with her high school sweetheart who is a middle school math, science and art educator in the Los Angeles public education system. They have three amazing children. Their two oldest daughters are pursuing their college education in Nursing and Special Education. When Ms. López is not busy with work, she’s cheering on her 9 year old son in Little League baseball. He’s already promised to dedicate his first Dodgers game winning to his Mom!

Veronica sotoBuild LACCD

Veronica Soto possesses over 19 years experience developing economic and workforce development programs that increase the capacity of small, minority businesses to compete in mega building programs and establish career paths for minority students and adults to enter the architecture, engineering and construction industry sectors. She is currently managing efforts for the LACCD Build Program, County of Los Angeles, and the Emerald Cities Collaborative. Veronica has been tapped to re-engineer the Community Economic Development Programs for the Los Angeles Community College District’s $6.2 billion Build Program to ensure that maximum participation by local, small, emerging and disabled veteran businesses participate in the design and construction of community college facilities, and that local district residents have an opportunity to begin and further their career in construction. Veronica is the County of Los Angeles Department of Public Works project manager for workforce development and helped create and implement the Small Business Program and Local Worker Hiring Program for the Martin Luther King, Jr. Medical Center Project and other healthcare projects. The MLK project has been built with the highest levels of small business participation (48%) and local worker participation (57%) that reflects the rich diversity of the community. Veronica is also the program manager for the Emerald Cities Collaborative in Los Angeles. She leads the implementation of the E-Contractor Academy Program to prepare small, minority contractors to compete for energy efficiency projects and the workforce development strategy to establish a pipeline to careers in energy. These efforts satisfy the County of Los Angeles Southern California Regional Energy Network (SoCalREN) pilot program’s workforce development goals as established by the California Public Utilities Commission. Previously, Veronica was director of contractor relations and small business for the Los Angeles Unified School District’s $20 billion school construction program. In this capacity, she created nationally recognized business and workforce development programs that helped LAUSD award 48% of total contract awards to small contractors, enabled 64,883 LA County residents to work on school projects earning $1.53 billion in wages, and provided over 500 high school students with access to instruction in design and construction, paid internships, and college credit. Prior to LAUSD, Veronica designed a business outreach program for the Alameda Corridor Transportation Authority to facilitate DBE participation on the $2.4 billion Alameda Corridor Project. At project-end, 21% of construction, 29% of professional services, and 36% of construction management contracts were awarded to DBE firms. Veronica acquired expertise creating strategic programs while working for former Los Angeles Mayor Richard J. Riordan and developed program designs for the Earthquake Recovery Project (1994), Defense Conversion Initiative (1995), and the Alameda Corridor Business Outreach Program (1996) to provide minority, and women-owned firms with access to contracting opportunities. She also served as the Mayor’s director of neighborhood affairs and took a leave to serve as managing director of community affairs for the host committee of the 2000 Democratic National Convention.

Kenneth AshfordMetropolitan Water District

Kenneth L. Ashford is an Associate Resource Specialist for the Metropolitan Water District of Southern California. He joined Metropolitan in December of 1994 and is currently working in Metropolitan’s legislative branch. He is responsible for coordinating legislative issues and public outreach for the Water Resources Management Group.

Sustainable Corporate Success – Strategies Business Growth

Moderator

Luis CuneoMarket Segment Executive, IBM Corporation

Luis Cuneo is a Market Segment Executive for IBM Market Development based in Southbury, Connecticut. In this capacity, he is responsible for developing the program strategy and social media, marketing to businesses owned or operated by Asians, Blacks, Hispanics, Native Americans and Women. He has extensive management experience in operations, channels, sales and marketing in the information technology industry. Mr. Cuneo previous IBM positions include Senior Marketing Manager of IBM World Wide Developer Relations for Software Group, Manager of Integrated Marketing Communication for IGS, DB2 and WW Catalogs for iSeries, pSeries, Software and eBusiness. In 1999, Mr. Cuneo led the development and execution of IBM first digital online catalog for IBM world wide and the first online eBusiness eLiterature fulfillment system for IBM PartnerWorld. In 2008, Mr. Cuneo received the United States Hispanic Chamber of Commerce Advocate of the Year, for on going commitment to Hispanic Businesses. In 2013, Mr. Cuneo was selected as the Chairman of the Corporate Advisory for the Morristown Hispanic Chamber based in New Jersey. In addition, Mr. Cuneo is Chairman of the New York International Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, based in New York City and a member of the USHCC Senior Executive Advisory Board Committee. Mr. Cuneo is a graduate of Phoenix University, Phoenix, Arizona, holds B.A. of Science in Business Administration. Luis has been a featured speaker for numerous professional organizations that include United States Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, Center for Hispanic Leadership, Hispanic Unity of Florida, Jesse Jackson Wall Street Project, LISTA, US Mexican-American Chamber of Commerce, CAMACOL and the Direct Marketing Association.

Marcia Dávalos manages Small Business Majority’s Los Angeles office where she focuses on outreach, education, and building relationships with Hispanic small business owners and organizations across the country. Marcia is bilingual and is a Covered California Certified Educator. Prior to joining Small Business Majority, Marcia served as Director of Regional Networks for the Latino Coalition for a Healthy California, a statewide policy group working to improve the conditions, services and health of Latinos across California.

Jesse TorresWorld Class Speaker

Jesse Torres has spent over 20 years in leadership and executive management positions. Jesse maintains a wide range of skills that include risk management, internal audit, operations, information technology, marketing and public relations. Jesse has written books and articles related to entrepreneurship, marketing, and social media. Jesse is a radio host on NBC News Radio, a contributing writer for Entrepreneur, a frequent speaker at conferences, and is often interviewed by business publications. Jesse holds a B.A. from UCLA and is a graduate of the Pacific Coast Banking School. He holds several certifications, including Certified Information Systems Auditor, Certified Internal Auditor and Certified Information Systems Security Professional.

Peter LeeWells Fargo

As a Supplier Diversity Manager on Wells Fargo & Company’s Corporate Supplier Diversity team, Peter Lee is responsible for Enterprise-wide education and awareness of MWDSBEs, supply chain and LOB partnerships, and evaluation of diversity spend and outreach programs. He also supports regional Bank Presidents (Pacific Midwest and Western Mountain), regional Minority Supplier Development Councils, and other advocacy groups. In addition, Peter focuses on Technology & Operations and Commercial & Wholesale Banking Services commodities. Prior to joining Wells Fargo, Peter served as an Assistant Vice President of Strategic Sourcing at a prominent Midwest financial institution. There he collaborated with internal business partners to create RFPs, negotiated service level agreements and other contract terms, and managed supplier relationships. He also reported on the company’s diverse spend. Peter also worked at a professional services firm where he provided consulting services to companies seeking to procure government contracts. In addition, he audited internal policies and procedures to ensure compliance of federal codes and regulations. With his experience in strategic sourcing and consulting, Peter is well-equipped to contribute to the team’s mission of building relationships within the communities and raising awareness and inclusion of MWBDSEs. As a transplant from Chicago, Peter is looking for areas where he can get involved in his new community. Back in Chicago, Peter was active as a volunteer at a women’s homeless shelter and a food bank. He also served as a community group leader and activities coordinator, as well as, leading the welcoming / fellowship committee for his local church. Peter received his Bachelor of Science in Finance from University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign and his Master of Business Administration from The University of Chicago Booth School of Business. He currently resides in the Central Peninsula area, just south of San Francisco.

Harvey Z. WarrenAuthor

Harvey Z. Warren is the author of Drop Debt, Surviving Credit Card Hell Without Bankruptcy. Mr. Warren has helped thousands of consumers rid themselves of nearly $200 million in excessive credit card debt in their responsible goal of avoiding bankruptcy. Mr. Warren is a financial guide helping families with personal retirement planning and college funding as well as assisting businesses with specialized insurance products. Appearing on many television and radio programs, Mr. Warren also frequently writes for Dun and Bradstreet Credibility Corp on personal and business credit issues. Mr. Warren is a recurring guest on the Hallmark Channel’s “Home and Family Show”.

OPENING REMARKS

LaShawn WareThe Lincoln Motor Company

LaShawn Ware is the Lincoln Area Manager for the West Market. Her responsibilities include working with her field team to ensure Lincoln is properly represented in the marketplace, provides robust marketing plans, and delivers established sales and share objectives within her territory, which extends from the Rocky Mountains to the Pacific Ocean. Her passion for Lincoln is driven by the rich heritage of Lincoln, the stunning design of the products like the new Lincoln MKC and the opportunity that lies ahead for the brand in the luxury market. An 18-year veteran of Ford Motor Company, LaShawn has served in various marketing and sales roles, including Lincoln Marketing Manager, Marketing Development Manager, Sales Operations Manager in Detroit, Dearborn, and Southern California. Her most recent assignment was in Dearborn, Michigan, where she worked with the Lincoln brand team to develop and implement national incentive programs to drive sales and market share as the brand is revitalized.

LUNCHEON REMARKS

Donna DavisSmall Business Administration

As the senior executive for Region IX, Donna Davis was appointed by President Barack Obama in December, 2013 to serve as the U.S. Small Business Administration’s (SBA) Regional Administrator. Donna oversees the management of capital, contracting, and counseling services to entrepreneurs and small businesses throughout Arizona, California, Guam, Hawaii, and Nevada. Previously, Donna was the CEO of the Arizona Small Business Association and as a successful entrepreneur; she started and grew four successful domestic and global companies. She was a senior executive for a high tech Fortune 500 corporation and early in her career worked as a Park Ranger at Grand Canyon National Park. Donna is honored to serve our region and is passionate about helping small businesses and entrepreneurs gain access to the resources necessary to advance economic development, job growth and competiveness throughout our region. Please welcome Regional Administrator Donna Davis.

DIAMOND SPONSOR REMARKS

Eric FisherSouthern California Edison

Eric Fisher has over 25 years of Supply Chain Management experience with established Fortune 100 companies. His role in Supplier Diversity includes ensuring that SCE complies with all public law, as well as CPUC rules and regulations related to diverse business enterprise procurement practices. Before becoming a Principal Manager in Supplier Diversity, Eric worked for progressive Supply Chain organizations throughout his career with an additional emphasis on Supplier Diversity. He managed Supply Chain groups in the Category of Information Technology, Professional Services, Consulting and Contingent Labor. His wealth of knowledge has afforded him opportunities with SCE where he has worked cross functionally across the organization delivering successful sourcing initiatives achieving significant Prime and Subcontracting results for Diverse Business Enterprises. Prior to his career at SCE, Eric worked for AEGON USA, The Structure Group, The Walt Disney Company and KPMG. Eric is a certified sourcing and contract negotiator; he received his Master of Business Administration from the University of Redlands. Eric is very active in his community and many professional organizations, Eric sits on many boards where his leadership and strategic business acumen has afforded him the opportunity to network with many organizations where he has been able to pay it forward.

moderators

Roy JassoCommunity Development Officer, Wells Fargo

Roy Jasso is Wells Fargo’s Community Development Officer for the Community Development Group in the Los Angeles Metro Region. Prior to joining Wells Fargo, Jasso served as the Western Regional Community Relations Manager for Anheuser-Busch companies, which covered 23 states. He served in the same capacity for Coors Brewing Company, covering California and the Pacific Northwest. Jasso has worked in the non-profit sector as the executive director of a Hispanic Chamber of Commerce. He later became the president of that board and then State President of the California Hispanic Chambers of Commerce. He has served on numerous boards at the local, state, and national level. He currently sits on a number of boards as President of the Bilingual Foundation of the Arts; Immediate Past President of Chinatown Service Center; Past President of Cabrillo Economic Development Corporation; Treasurer Mexican American Opportunity Foundation; and serves the Los Angeles Mission, Kids for Progress, Inc., Los Angeles Housing Authority, Pacific Coast Regional, and Asian Americans Advancing Justice/Asian Pacific American Legal Center. Jasso is proud of his humble beginnings as a migrant farm worker and appreciates the opportunities in his career to do so much good for those in need. Jasso attended the University of Redlands (Upward Bound Program), University of the Pacific - (BA InterAmerican Studies and Spanish); University of Santa Clara - Organizational Management; University of Denver (MBA - full scholarship); University of Boston (Community Development Program) and Pepperdine University (International Business Program).

Victor ParkerSmall Business Administration

Victor Parker, a California native and long-time member of the Los Angeles community, was appointed the District Director of the SBA’s Los Angeles District Office in October, 2011. The Los Angeles District Office serves Los Angeles, Ventura, and Santa Barbara counties. As District Director, he is responsible for the delivery of SBA programs and services to aspiring and existing small business owners, SBA lenders and partners, which include business advisory services, capital access programs, entrepreneurial development, international trade development and contract procurement assistance .The Los Angeles District Office territory includes eight Small Business Development Centers, four Service Corps of Retired Executives chapters and four Women’s Business Centers. Prior to joining the SBA, Victor worked in various capacities as a small business manager and corporate executive for nearly 20 years. His responsibilities included managing regulatory affairs, intellectual property licensing agreements, and contract negotiations. As his career advanced, he also gained expertise in small business joint venture manufacturing with in-depth consulting agreements, and supplier diversity development and expansion. He has experience with SBA programs from the small business side, government contracting and the 8(a) certification process in particular. In addition to Victor’s broad management and leadership experience in the private sector, he is actively engaged in serving several civic, nonprofit and community-based organizations in the Southern California area, including serving on the Civil Service Commission, Sustainable City Committee and on the Board of Directors of the Community Development Centers, Inc. Victor earned his Bachelor’s Degree from the University of California at Berkeley and Juris Doctor from Pepperdine University School of Law.

SUPER STAR PANELISTS

Alicia EstradaStop Staring!

At Stop Staring! we are committed to creating original vintage inspired dresses and RTW, that empowers women by embracing and celebrating their female form. Established in 1997, Stop Staring! is the leader of original retro chic dresses and separates that flatter the figure and cater to a woman's independent spirit with timeless and classic styles at consistently affordable prices. Alicia Estrada, head designer and founder of the Stop Staring! collection, started sewing at the age of seventeen. With a house full of 3 brothers and 6 sisters, Alicia quickly forayed her hobby into a thriving business! In 2005, the Mayor of Los Angeles, Antonio Villaraigosa, awarded Stop Staring! "Minority Manufacturing Firm of the Year" Today, Alicia's love of all things vintage plays a key role in her design process. She continually incorporates the details of yesteryear into her beautiful and flattering retro-contemporary dresses and separates.

Carlos MorgnerMorgner Construction Management Corp.

Carlos E. Morgner has over 32 years of experience in financial/risk analysis, infrastructure, and transportation services. Mr. Morgner has been associated with Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority, Airports, Harbors, and other transportation authorities for the past twenty three years and involved with construction management, risk management, planning, expansion, and energy efficient projects. He is also an expert in business acquisitions and real estate consulting. Mr. Morgner is a CPA and also the founder & CEO of Morgner Construction Management (MORGNER), a firm specializing in construction management services, risk management/mitigation, safety program services, and specialized engineering planning, design, and energy efficiency services. MORGNER has served a diverse clientele ranging in scale from mid-size to FORTUNE 500 construction, engineering, and design companies to local, state and federal government agencies and reputable institutions. MORGNER’s result-oriented performance has been exclusively focused on public sector projects which have produced a unique track record of success. Mr. Morgner has interfaced with many community and political leaders on matter relating business and economic development programs.

Jessica Maes - ZepedaEl Aviso Magazine, Inc.

Currently, she is the Public Relations and Community Affairs Director/Owner, for the her family owned business, El Aviso Magazine. In this capacity, Jessica develops and implements marketing, public relations and promotional programs and events. Her responsibilities include involvement with many chambers of commerce, community based organizations, media relations, education awareness , community outreach and charitable and business partnerships programs.

Jessica, along with her husband Jose, believe in helping the less fortunate and most especially the children. Their philosophy is reflected in their business who is involved helping community and faith based organizations. They include: Southeast Rio Vista YMCA, Huntington Park Kiwanis Club, current board member and past president, member of the Southeast Rio Vista Community Corp, Salvation Army, the American Red Cross, the American Cancer Society, active with fundraising for organizations such as the Southeast Relay for Life, Jessica is most proud of the fact that she and her husband co-produced and published an annual magazine "El Aviso Relay for Life" which informs the public on issues regarding cancer awareness . The magazine at the same time, generates revenue, which 100% of the proceeds are donated to the America Cancer Society. Jessica has been recognized and has received numerous accolades for her many years of community service. They include recognition from the California Governor's Office, Congress House Representative's, State Senators, Assembly Members, Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors, Local City Council members, HSA Human Services Association ,The American Cancer Society and The Huntington Park City Council, just to name a few. Current Awards include "Women of the Year" from Rio Hondo Boys and Girls Clubs of America 2011, "Woman of the Year"2012 from the Human Services Association, "Mujer Comunitaria from the Regional Hispanic Chamber of Commerce." Woman of the Year for 2012 from the,Industrial Council Chamber of Commerce, City of Commerce in 2013 . One of her favorites, Jessica was named "Neighborhood Hero"2013 of the Year, from the Gage Middle School 6 th grade class. Jessica and her husband have five Children and seven grandchildren, and spend their time working diligently towards making El Aviso Magazine the success story that it is today.

Martha de la TorreEl Clasificado

Martha C. de la Torre is the CEO of El Clasificado, which she co-founded in 1988 with husband and COO, Joe Badame. After earning a B.S. in Accounting from Loyola Marymount University in 1978, she joined Arthur Young & Company as a CPA and audit manager. Later, Martha served two years as CFO of La Opinion, the Spanish-language daily, before launching El Clasificado, which for several years struggled to remain afloat. After reengineering the distribution model from home delivery to a bulk-drop model in 1995, El Clasificado was finally on a trajectory to success—a model that’s made El Clasificado the largest Spanish-language weekly shopper in the US, circulating 510,000 copies in Southern California. Ranking among the top 4,700 U.S. websites, per Quantcast.com, Elclasificado.com is the leading Spanish-language online classified portal serving U.S. Latinos. The company has been recognized by LA Business Journal as one of LA’s Fastest-Growing Companies, Hispanic Business Magazine’s 500 Largest His